
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is presented as an exceptional device, particularly for content creators and professionals who demand high-end camera and performance capabilities. It boasts a sophisticated triple 48MP rear camera system, an advanced 18MP front camera with robust stabilization, and supports professional video formats and audio recording.
Powered by the A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM, enhanced cooling, and a high-refresh-rate always-on display, it delivers top-tier performance and user experience. Despite its premium $1099 price, the iPhone 17 Pro is highly recommended as an "absolute beast" that excels in all critical aspects, especially photo and video.
“If you really care a lot about video, like I said, if you're a content creator, if you're doing this for work, maybe you're like a real estate agent and you're just in spaces, uh, you know, taking photos and that's like your job, whatever it is. If you're using the camera a lot, then yeah, Pro models. Honestly, the iPhone 17 Pro, not even the Pro Max, just the Pro, is my favorite phone. This thing is an absolute beast and it does everything you need to, especially in terms of photo and video.”
The iPhone 17 Pro offers a compelling flagship experience, mirroring the Pro Max in core aspects like design, screen quality, chipset performance, and identical camera systems, which deliver excellent photo and video capabilities.
It stands out as a lighter, more compact, and less expensive alternative, making it an ideal choice for users who prefer a smaller form factor without compromising on high-end features.
While the Pro Max has a larger battery and screen, the 17 Pro still provides good battery life for its size and a premium display, ensuring a great cutting-edge iPhone experience.
“So, that was the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The two phones are quite similar. You get the same design and screen quality, the same chipset performance, an identical software experience, and about the same charging speed. The cameras are exactly the same, too.”
“The iPhone 17 Pro is the lighter and more compact device, and it's less expensive than the Pro Max.”
“In the end, since these two phones are so similar, it really just depends on your size preference. Either way, you get a great cuttingedge iPhone.”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers a cutting-edge iPhone experience, sharing the same advanced camera system, top-tier A19 Pro performance, and excellent screen quality as its larger sibling, the Pro Max. It offers a more compact and lighter form factor, making it a compelling choice for users who prefer a smaller device.
While its battery life is slightly less than the Pro Max due to a smaller capacity, it still provides good endurance for its size. Ultimately, the decision between the 17 Pro and Pro Max largely comes down to personal size preference and budget, as both provide a great and advanced smartphone experience.
“The two phones are quite similar. You get the same design and screen quality, the same chipset performance, an identical software experience, and about the same charging speed. The cameras are exactly the same, too.”
“The iPhone 17 Pro is the lighter and more compact device, and it's less expensive than the Pro Max.”
“In the end, since these two phones are so similar, it really just depends on your size preference. Either way, you get a great cuttingedge iPhone.”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is highlighted for its incredible and significantly improved camera system, shared with the Pro Max. It is considered the best camera phone for most people, especially excelling in video recording.
The reviewer, a professional video creator, consistently finds the iPhone's video capabilities superior to other phones, with the 17 Pro further enhancing this strength.
“for most people the best camera, and again you're probably going to hate me for saying this, but it really has improved so much this year. The iPhone 17 Pro is really quite an incredible camera system. The Pro and the Pro Max. They both essentially have the same camera system.”
“iPhone, I would say, is far and away the best in videos for phones. And I mean, I say that as somebody that creates videos for a living. I try videos all the time on all the phones, and the iPhone has consistently been the best. And the 17 just improves even further.”
“So, that's my choice for the best camera for most people, assuming you're not going to buy the mods and and really be a power user looking for that more natural aesthetic of the Vivo phones.”
The iPhone 17 Pro stands out with noticeably better battery life, capable of lasting a full day of intensive use. It also offers the highest video recording quality among smartphones and very good performance, while maintaining low temperatures.
The iOS 26 system runs stably, and the front camera receives praise for its quality. The screen is very good, although only slightly better than the previous model.
Key drawbacks include very slow charging and the fact that the 8x 'optical zoom' is merely a digital zoom with a loss of photo quality. Furthermore, Polish users pay the full price without access to key features like Apple Intelligence.
“Noticeably better battery life compared to what it was a month ago. In my opinion, the best video quality in smartphones, high performance, and no elevated temperatures whatsoever.”
“Finally 256 GB in the base model, very good, but a screen imperceptibly better than the iPhone 16 Pro, great speakers and haptics, noticeably more stable and better working iOS 26. Absolutely great front camera. I didn't mention it [Central Staj - likely a feature name or location reference] because I didn't want to repeat myself too much compared to previous videos.”
“And what's on the downside: still very slow charging. The eight-times optical zoom is not an optical zoom. Apple calls it optical quality. However, the truth is that, in my opinion, it's just a crop, and not even a hybrid, because the quality of photos at eight-times zoom suffers greatly. In terms of build quality, it's not the same level as the iPhone.”
“We appreciate the upgrades in battery life and charging speed this year, and the new design is something fresh.”
“So, overall, while the iPhone 17 Pro does do some things better than its predecessor, it's not a slam dunk here. Still, it's worth having a look to see if it's right for you.”
The iPhone 17 Pro is a powerful upgrade, offering significant enhancements primarily in its camera system with a telephoto lens, larger main sensor, and advanced video capabilities like Log and ProRes.
It also boasts substantially improved battery life, a more powerful A19 Pro chip, 12GB of RAM, and a vapor chamber for cooling. While it comes at a higher price point than the base iPhone 17, these features, especially the camera improvements and extended battery life, are considered the main justifications for the additional cost.
Despite its advanced hardware, real-world everyday performance differences from the base iPhone 17 are not always apparent, making the decision to upgrade depend on the need for Pro-exclusive features.
“And actually, in terms of battery life, the jump from the 17 to the 17 Pro was quite significant. So, I think for me, the main reason to spend the extra 300 on the Pro would be for the better battery life and the slightly improved cameras.”
The iPhone 17 Pro is an evolutionary upgrade offering a more powerful A19 Pro processor and improved temperature management thanks to its vapor chamber. The camera sees minor enhancements, including an improved main lens aperture and the groundbreaking Central Stage feature on the front camera, though the latter struggles with overexposure.
The screen is rated as excellent, with higher peak brightness, while the European version's battery is smaller and charging speed doesn't match competitors. The device boasts more RAM (12 GB) and 256 GB of base storage.
Downsides include a drop in material quality, an ugly design, and reduced drop resistance, along with the smaller battery in Europe. Despite these drawbacks, the iPhone 17 Pro is recommended for those for whom price is not a concern, especially those upgrading from older models.
“More powerful processor, minimally better camera, better temperatures, new look, in theory a better screen and the usual iPhone like iPhone.”
“And if money doesn't matter to you at all, then buy the 17 Pro.”
The iPhone 17 Pro offers notable camera improvements, including three main cameras and a significantly better selfie camera that matches the functionality of previous models. It is important to note, however, that the upgraded selfie camera is also available in the standard iPhone 17.
Despite these enhancements, the reviewer highlights that many consumers opt for the Pro or Pro Max model primarily for its status. They suggest that technical specifications play a lesser role in the purchasing decision than the desire to own a premium version, making this edition less about technology and more about symbolism.
“But in the regular 17, you have the exact same selfie camera as in the Pro”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is considered the best Pro iPhone yet, offering a 'maximalist' design that enhances its capabilities. It boasts significantly improved cameras with an updated telephoto lens and new professional video features like ProRes raw and genlock support.
Performance is excellent with the A19 Pro chip, 12GB of RAM, and a new vapor chamber for superior thermal management, leading to sustained high performance. The larger battery, faster 40W charging, and brighter display with an anti-reflective coating further contribute to a robust user experience.
Despite minor drawbacks like persistent night point light flares and the absence of 8K video recording, the iPhone 17 Pro delivers substantial upgrades. The reviewer concludes that these pro-level enhancements ultimately benefit a wider audience.
“this is the most maximalist that an iPhone has ever felt, and I like it.”
“the paradox is that making the Pro iPhones more pro is actually better for the masses. And this is the best one yet, it's the most freed one yet.”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro presents a compelling package with substantial upgrades across several key areas. Its video capabilities are particularly noteworthy, supported by significant performance boosts from the A19 Pro chip and enhanced thermal management.
Users will also appreciate the noticeably improved battery life and a greatly enhanced selfie camera. While still photography isn't considered best-in-class and glare remains an issue, the reviewer highly recommends the iPhone 17 Pro for most users, citing its improved ergonomics, doubled base storage, and a strong balance of features for its price point compared to the larger Pro Max.
“Honestly, I’d recommend the Pro for most people. Save yourself what 150 quidish and get yourself just a more comfortable phone. Unless, of course, you do want that bigger, more immersive screen with a better speakers and a slightly longer battery life.”
“So overall I have to say this year Apple has done pretty much what people want [...].”
“So, they've done a good job there and yay for adding a bigger battery. That is something I mean this is the pro of the pro phone finally.”
“256 GB is now your baseline for storage. So, that's doubling what it used to be. And you're still looking at 1099 [...] for the two models, smaller and larger.”
The iPhone 17 Pro is hailed as one of the best iPhones ever, boasting an industry-leading A19 Pro SOC and a versatile 48MP triple camera system with exceptional video stabilization. Its display offers impressive brightness and a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, while the Pro Max model delivers remarkable battery longevity.
Although there isn't a "night and day" difference from the previous generation and some camera processing quirks exist, its performance, camera capabilities, and screen quality make it an outstanding device. However, higher storage configurations come with a premium price tag, and full charging times are moderate.
“As usual, the iPhone Pro is better than any phone has any right to be. Although I wouldn't say that this is a night and day difference over last gen by any stretch of the imagination.”
“that's not a bad thing. They're kind of the best iPhones ever.”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max are evolutionary, yet mediocre, upgrades compared to their predecessors. The design is deemed worse, and the build quality raises concerns due to its susceptibility to scratches.
Despite improvements in the A19 Pro processor, camera, and battery, along with faster charging, these changes are not revolutionary, and the screen remains without significant upgrades. The device heats up under load, and performance stability is no better than the previous model.
The purchase is only worthwhile for a very niche group of users needing maximum performance and specialized photo/video features. Otherwise, considering the high starting price, the regular iPhone 17 is a more sensible option.
“The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max promise very little. Nothing more.”
“In my opinion, the design is worse than before. The build quality should be rated negatively due to its susceptibility to scratches.”
“The processor, camera, and battery have received expected evolutionary improvements, and a speed increase of about 10 minutes is a positive, but it's hardly a revolution. [...] In my opinion, only for the very small group of users who will utilize maximum performance and very specific expert photo/video functions.”
The iPhone 17 Pro introduces improvements such as a brighter screen, a larger battery with faster charging, and a significantly upgraded Central Stage front camera. It also features the newer A19 processor and 12 GB of RAM, offering 256 GB of base storage.
However, despite these changes, the differences in performance and main camera photo quality compared to the 16 Pro model in everyday use are minimal and hard to notice. The reviewer suggests that due to similar capabilities and a lower price, the iPhone 16 Pro still represents a better choice, and the 17 Pro is primarily an option for those seeking the latest device and accepting minor compromises.
“Firstly, a brighter screen, secondly, 256 GB in the base model, different materials used in production, the back of the smartphone, a newer processor along with a vapor chamber, which currently, after a few days of use by my wife, doesn't introduce anything. 12 GB RAM instead of 8 GB, a slightly improved main camera, Central Stage front camera, for me this is the coolest element in this smartphone. A slightly larger battery and minimally faster charging.”
“If you don't mind aluminum, if you don't mind the questionable quality, the fact that the device is thicker and heavier, and the fact that it's not drastically different from the 16 Pro, and you're willing to spend more, then go ahead, get the 17 Pro model.”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro offers notable advancements, including an impressive camera system with advanced image processing and ProRes RAW video capabilities, alongside robust performance for demanding games due to its new thermal design and A19 Pro chip. Battery life also sees a healthy improvement, especially for eSIM-only models, complemented by a bright, anti-reflective screen.
However, the new telephoto lens is underwhelming, and the device still lacks 8K video while exhibiting lens flares. Daily performance doesn't feel significantly faster, and the phone's screen and body are surprisingly prone to scratches.
Overall, the iPhone 17 Pro is deemed a "good enough" but optional upgrade, mainly for power users, particularly since the base iPhone 17 offers similar features and storage at a significantly lower price. Its full potential, driven by advanced hardware, is anticipated with future demanding Apple intelligence features.
“do these various upgrades make these phones significantly better than the last iPhones? Yeah, kind of. I'd say they're good enough.”
“I also wouldn't be in a rush to upgrade. The base iPhone 17, which also now has the same 256 gigs of storage and almost all the features really of the Pros, is a full $300 cheaper than them this year”
“it makes these pros very much the optional upgrade just for power users.”
The iPhone 17 Pro, despite its robust, 'tank-like' appearance, proved less durable than expected. Its aluminum construction makes it susceptible to damage, as evidenced by reports of bending after falls.
Equipped with an advanced triple-lens system and professional features, this phone is intended for a specific audience.
The reviewer emphasizes that for most users who do not leverage its professional capabilities for income, purchasing this model is not cost-effective, and recommends considering other options.
Despite an improved, more scratch-resistant screen coating, it is advisable to further protect the device with a case.
“Why do I think this phone is not suitable for most people? I simply take this phone because I use material recorded on iPhones Pro in my videos.”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro primarily caters to power users, offering a triple camera setup with telephoto zoom, 4K120 video recording, and faster file transfer capabilities for ProRes content. It also features a new ceramic shield for enhanced display durability across models.
However, the performance and display quality gaps between the Pro and the standard iPhone 17 have significantly narrowed. This makes the Pro a less compelling upgrade for many users who do not require its specialized camera and video functionalities.
“unless you want to jump into the extended storage and the ProRes stuff and obviously the extra camera module.”
“The improvement is not significant enough. I mean, outside of battery life, which would take me a while to really test.”
“Fourth is the iPhone 17 Pro [...] Again, pretty small step up from the 17. I mean, this has been true for every single generation in my experience. The battery life you get is not really about whether you go pro or not. It's really just what size of phone do you get”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro introduces notable upgrades, including a significantly improved camera system with multiple 48MP sensors and an 18MP front camera, alongside a new front-facing stage camera. It also features a substantially brighter display with an anti-reflective coating, and a powerful A19 Pro chipset complemented by a vapor chamber cooling system to manage heat effectively.
Additionally, the phone comes with a bigger battery, and its new design and available colors are well-received. However, despite these advancements, the reviewer ultimately indicates a preference for competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus and Google Pixel 10 Pro.
“Now, this is direct competition with the S25 Plus and the Pixel 10 Pro. Now, which one would I choose out of these three? I'd go with the Galaxy, then the Pixel.”
The iPhone 17 Pro introduces several significant upgrades, including a much brighter screen with a peak brightness of 3000 nits and increased base storage to 256 GB. The camera offers a brighter main lens aperture and an eight-times optical zoom on the periscope telephoto lens.
The device is equipped with the more powerful A19 Pro processor with an M2-level graphics chip, marking a substantial performance increase. The battery capacity has also been expanded, particularly in the American version.
However, the reviewer notes that for the average user, upgrading from previous models like the iPhone 15 Pro or 16 Pro is not absolutely necessary. Criticisms include the new, noticeably thicker and heavier design, and the lack of 8K video recording.
“I think that if someone is a normal user, they absolutely shouldn't feel the need to upgrade from the iPhone 15 Pro, 16 Pro to the 17 Pro model. Unless, of course, you're a fan of this new design.”
“What I really like so far after these first impressions. I definitely like this screen, which is noticeably brighter, [...] I finally like the fact that we have 256 GB base storage, not 128. [...] I really like this front camera with Central Stage framing photos and videos. And I like the fact that we have this bigger battery.”
“So, second place, of course, goes to the very bright orange iPhone 17 Pro. But considering how last year's iPhone 16 Pro and well, all previous Pros were a little bit lacking in the battery department, this is a big upgrade for the smaller Pro.”
“The new iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max not only last a good deal longer than their predecessors, but they're also significantly faster, as I talk about in my full review, and they also run cooler.”
“considering how last year's iPhone 16 Pro and well, all previous Pros were a little bit lacking in the battery department, this is a big upgrade for the smaller Pro.”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro introduces significant upgrades in key areas, making it a powerful contender. The smaller Pro model boasts a nearly 20% larger battery, promising enhanced endurance.
Performance sees a considerable boost with the new A19 and A19 Pro chips, showing strong improvements in multi-core CPU and GPU capabilities. Furthermore, the Pro versions now come with 12GB of RAM, marking a notable increase from the previous generation.
“Here's the results from the new A19 and A19 Pro versus last generation. They take some pretty nice steps up again, especially in multi-core CPU and GPU.”
“there's also more RAM in these Pro phones now. It turns out last year it was 8 gigs across the board. This year, the Pros get 12.”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro presents notable advancements, particularly in its camera where software enhancements lead to improved portrait mode photos with superior detail and skin tones. Performance is robust, supported by advanced thermal management, and the device impressively aligns with the 17 Pro Max in peak performance.
While the overall performance increase is not deemed "paradigm-shifting," the phone does offer a more comfortable hold and significantly improved signal strength. However, users should note that physical SIM versions experience two hours less battery life compared to their eSIM counterparts.
“how much more comfy they are to hold compared to the 16 Pros. I guess because the metal bends around the sides as opposed to there being a sharp divide between metal and glass.”
“signal strength and it seems a lot better than previous phones. Even though there's tons of metal now which can block signal. I guess this extra antenna band that you now have going all the way around the camera island and better networking hardware on the inside is more than countering that.”
“the physical SIM version has according to Apple 2 hours less battery life than what they referenced in their event.”
“The Pro really did feel kind of just like dense and heavy in a way.”
“the switch to the more curved edges I don't particularly like. So, the last the 16 Pro had more straight sides. I feel like that is nicer in my hand.”
“I think that there are increasingly few people I would recommend it to because it's like if you want all the things that the Pro has, you probably also want more battery and more screen on which to do those things. So, I'm like, I'm not sure who the base Pro is for.”
“The Pro is the practical choice, and I don't think it's a bad one at all”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro stands out with its superior performance and advanced camera system, making it ideal for users prioritizing high-end capabilities. It features a powerful A19 Pro chip with more graphics cores and better cooling, ensuring a clear performance advantage for demanding tasks and advanced gaming.
Its main 48MP camera, with a larger sensor, delivers higher quality images and significantly outperforms other models at higher zoom levels, complemented by a much-improved 18MP selfie camera. The device also boasts a high-end display with ProMotion 1-120Hz and 3,000 nits peak brightness, protected by enhanced Ceramic Shield 2 glass.
Overall, the Pro model is positioned as a strong contender for those seeking maximum performance, advanced gaming, and professional camera features, despite a noted issue with lens flare.
“But it is a clear win for the Pro and the Pro Max in terms of performance.”
“The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max's main camera is also higher quality. Yes, it's the same 48 megapixels, but it's a much bigger sensor. Although, to be honest with you, most of the time there's not much in it. [...] when you zoom in to four times and beyond, the Pros just blow it out of the water. There's no competition.”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro offers exceptional performance thanks to the A19 Pro processor, with graphics rivaling the MacBook Air M2, supported by an advanced thermal chamber. The device also boasts advanced Central Stage cameras with RAW recording capabilities and a built-in 2 TB drive, essential for editing such files.
Unfortunately, the reviewer expresses disappointment with the phone's construction, which is thicker and heavier, and the return to an aluminum casing instead of titanium or steel is seen as a step backward, driven by cost-cutting. The phone's design is personally not to the reviewer's liking, and the limited color palette with potential paint wear on the dark variant are further drawbacks.
While US models benefit from larger batteries due to the exclusive use of eSIM, the overall aesthetic impression and build materials significantly lower the overall rating of this powerful device.
“the casing is mainly made of aluminum. So yes, for Apple, steel is no longer premium. A 1mm layer of titanium is also not premium.”
“The Pro models, besides being 0.5mm thicker, which is almost 9mm, and additionally heavier, might not appeal to everyone.”
“Regarding the design [...] I personally don't like it. I personally don't like it.”
“The 17 Pro looks to me like what would happen if Xiaomi or Oppo designed an iPhone. Both Pro and Pro Max are stacked, beefy, borderline brutalist in spots with pronounced panels and bulbous projections that remind me of a performance race car”
“Apple switched back to an aluminum frame for the Pro and Max, partially for performance. Aluminum has better thermal conductivity than titanium, and Apple seems more intent than ever on letting its new system on a chip run cool. The 17 Pro is the first iPhone to use a vapor chamber for this, which is designed to channel heat through the aluminum enclosure to preserve performance under high loads.”
“The cameras on the back are now unified to 48 megapixels across all three sensors with the old 5x telephoto now replaced by a 4x zoom lens in order to offer 100 and 200 mm focal length options through cropping for portraits.”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro reinforces its position as a camera-focused device, equipped with three 48-megapixel cameras and advanced video capabilities such as ProRes Raw and genlock. Despite a 'downgrade' in telephoto optical zoom and criticism regarding Apple's dynamic range processing, the phone uses intelligent cropping for an 8x optical quality zoom.
Beyond its imaging prowess, the device features a vapor chamber for improved thermal performance and a durable design with an aluminum body and ceramic shield back. The new extended camera bump enhances stability and aesthetic appeal.
The striking orange color option is also highlighted, expected to be a popular choice among consumers.
“upgrading the telephoto camera to 48 megapixels this year. Um, and at the same time downgrading the zoom from 5x to 4x or the the focal length. It's not zooming. They just copy and pasted the same concept over the telephoto where they're like, we can crop into the middle um and give you an eight times optical quality zoom. We didn't do any digital zoom upscaling. um you won't see any gross artifacts from that kind of thing. Although you can do digital zoom to 40 times and it's not good.”
“this continues to be a camera phone in a very real way for Apple and I think that makes a lot of sense.”
“I think there's going to be a lot of orange iPhone 17 Pros on the street. I think it's Yeah, it's a real vibrant color. It's It looks nice. I think it's it's going to be a hit.”
“I've saved the best till last. Let's talk about the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. I mean, holy moly, look at that color. This is cosmic orange, and I want one.”
“For the Pro phones, new chip, brighter screen, tougher glass on the front. Well, ceramic on the front and back. Now, the new design with the plateau, the bump top 48 megapixel telephoto and just general camera improvements as well. New colors, which I am genuinely excited about, the center stage camera with that new 1x1 sensor for horizontal and vertical. Much better cooling, which I'm very excited about because my current 16 Pro Max is getting quite toasty as I'm shooting all this stuff here.”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro introduces significant advancements across several key areas. It features a new unibody aluminum design with a vapor chamber, dramatically improving thermal management to deliver 40% better sustained performance. The phone also boasts a substantial battery life increase, offering up to 39 hours of video playback.
The camera system receives major upgrades, including a massively-upgraded 24-megapixel selfie camera and a new 48-megapixel 4X telephoto lens with a larger sensor for enhanced zooming and cropping. With a brighter display and support for professional features like Genlock sync and ProRes RAW video, the iPhone 17 Pro is presented as a strong contender for users prioritizing advanced capabilities.
“my quick, friendly summary of the Pro phones is, hey, they got better zoom, and more battery,”
“The Pro phones also get the new selfie camera, they also get the new brighter display. These also got Qi2 support. And then they also got some seriously Pro features that I'm looking forward to testing, like Genlock sync support, and also ProRes RAW video,”
The iPhone 17 Pro offers upgraded cameras with new capabilities and the A19 Pro processor, which should translate to better performance, and an additional cooling chamber is designed to maintain optimal operating temperatures.
The phone features an aluminum construction with a glass back for inductive charging, although the discontinuation of titanium is a noticeable change; standard storage is 256 GB, and the Ceramic Shield 2 coating is intended to increase scratch resistance, despite a price increase of about 500 PLN.
Despite these features, the reviewer expresses clear dissatisfaction with this year's iPhone 17 Pro model, suggesting a negative overall assessment of the device.
“I don't like this year's iPhone 17 Pro.”
The iPhone 17 Pro is a device with advanced features, such as a triple Fusion camera, ProRes RAW recording, and enhanced zoom capabilities. It also boasts an improved battery and processor cooling system, intended to ensure longer operation and stability.
However, the reviewer emphasizes that its professional features are aimed at a very niche audience, primarily video and photography professionals. For the vast majority of users, the standard iPhone 17 is perfectly adequate, making the Pro model largely a status symbol without significant practical benefits.
“for most of us [...] it makes no difference. This is for a narrow group of real fanatics, professionals who want turbo control over what they record.”
“for the vast majority of people who will be buying a new iPhone 17, well, there aren't too many arguments to go for the 17 Pro. Besides the fact that it looks nice, it's orange, and that everyone will pay attention to it.”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is regarded as a solid device, purpose-built for professionals, with its design prioritizing function over form. This approach has resulted in noticeable improvements in thermal management and overall performance.
Furthermore, the device boasts a substantially enhanced battery, offering up to 33 hours of use, a considerable increase from its predecessor. While the reviewer felt it could have offered slightly more in terms of groundbreaking features, its functional enhancements and extended battery life make it a robust offering.
“I think the fact that the base iPhone 17 now has all the previously pro features and that the Air has become the pretty phone. The phone for people who just want their device to look sexy means that this year it really feels like Apple has been freed up to just prioritize function over form on these models.”
“I feel like the Pros could have done a little bit more, but they're solid.”
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro introduces several notable enhancements, particularly in its camera system, featuring a 48-megapixel telephoto lens and an 18-megapixel Center Stage selfie camera with new recording capabilities. It also boasts the largest batteries ever in an iPhone, promising extended video playback up to 39 hours, and a durable design with ceramic shield on both the front and back. The device's aluminum construction is a deliberate choice for better heat dissipation, signaling an improvement in performance management.
While maintaining its 6.3-inch display size, the iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1099 for a 256GB model, aligning with last year's pricing for that capacity. However, the absence of a 128GB option means a higher minimum investment for new users, despite the upgraded base storage. Overall, the phone presents a compelling package of improvements focused on photography, battery life, and durability.
“The whole phone is made out of aluminum.”
“The Pro models this year get a telephoto camera upgrade. It's 48 megapixels now [...]. The Pro also gets a selfie camera upgrade. It's the 18 megapixel center stage camera [...].”
“The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1099. That's for a 256 GB model.”
The reviewer appreciates that Apple has decided to change the design of the iPhone 17 Pro, which is a rarity among manufacturers and shows a desire for innovation.
However, despite acknowledging the change itself, the reviewer personally dislikes the new look of the device. They compare it to Xiaomi's aesthetic, which may suggest a loss of Apple's unique design identity and a departure from the brand's previous style.
“However, I personally do not like it.”
“So now, well, the iPhone 17 Pro / 17 Pro Max is starting to remind me a bit of Xiaomi, that's all folks.”
The reviewer expresses deep disappointment with the rumored 35W charging speed for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro, calling it a 'joke' and 'XD' for a flagship device. They emphasize that a 50W charging speed should be the market standard, placing the iPhone 17 Pro far behind the competition.
Despite these critical remarks about the hardware, the reviewer is more enthusiastically awaiting the release of iOS 19 and other Apple software updates than the new iPhone models themselves. Therefore, the overall reception of the phone is rather negative, due to a lack of innovation and weaknesses in key areas.
“In a flagship phone, which is supposed to sell the brand, in my opinion, it's well, a joke.”
“Are any of you waiting for iOS 19? Because for me personally, looking at what Apple is planning this year, iOS and all other software from Apple are the most interesting elements for me this year, and I personally am waiting more for WWDC than for the September premiere of new iPhones.”